The left in America prides itself on an anti war facade that is easily disproved, yet they still carry the image. Usually the big ones theat they point to is the recent war in Iraq and the Vietnam War. Is there any evidence that at least a some what significant portion of the protests were because we were fighting communists?
Also there seems to have been many student protests/ radicalism all over the world in the late 60’s, is this phenomenon just a coincidence, or is there any link between all these protests?
More of a response in the lifestyle-
I actually wrote paper on environmentalism and fashion trends during recessionary periods.(This was for a Decline in luxury consumer goods during the current crisis)
MY point was, this may be more cyclical(very loosely used term) and predictable. As wages diminish and people naturally adjust they still try to maintain a sense of self concept as their purchases although limited and cheaper are to be of a greater cause then themselves. That their cut backs are meant higher than just obviously saving money but saving society. Between the hippie movement, the recycling/saving the whales stuff in the early 90s/the newer gas savers in '01..to the climate and anti war(well anti certain wars but not others.) of today. It is an easy trend to get into. It requires little money as everything is usually second hand or au natural. The activities pretty much are just standing around and saying Boooo! It also is supposed to represent some sense of intellectual and against the grain move.
I do not see it as an left-right move per say. Just a mix of partisanship of the day, and the kids whom protest whatever exists just for the sake of doing it because its cool and hip and easy.
Obviously some have just cause and real emotion of the subject, but I find they are in the minority, where as the majority simply just follow the masses.